Cinemas in South Africa will not be showing the documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump that is due to be released around the world on Friday. The South African distributor Filmfinity has decided not to release it, its head of sales and marketing told the New York Times and South Africa-based website News24. The company was not explicit about the reasons behind the move.
The film, Melania, is not promoted on the websites of the country's main cinema chains. One Cape Town independent cinema contacted by the BBC said that it was called by Filmfinity and told not to list it.
Relations between the US and South Africa have seriously deteriorated over the past year. Amazon has reportedly paid $35 million to market the film, which follows Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to her husband's second inauguration. It is also believed that Amazon paid around $40 million for the rights to the film.
'Based on recent developments, we've taken the decision to not go ahead with a theatrical release in territory,' Filmfinity's Thobashan Govindarajulu is quoted as saying. He commented that the decision was made 'given the current climate.' However, specific details about these 'recent developments' were not provided.
Show times for Melania are not listed on the websites of South Africa's main cinema chains and multiple independent cinemas confirmed they were informed not to list the film. The growing tension in US-South Africa relations stems from several issues, including trade tariffs and comments made by former President Donald Trump.
The film, Melania, is not promoted on the websites of the country's main cinema chains. One Cape Town independent cinema contacted by the BBC said that it was called by Filmfinity and told not to list it.
Relations between the US and South Africa have seriously deteriorated over the past year. Amazon has reportedly paid $35 million to market the film, which follows Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to her husband's second inauguration. It is also believed that Amazon paid around $40 million for the rights to the film.
'Based on recent developments, we've taken the decision to not go ahead with a theatrical release in territory,' Filmfinity's Thobashan Govindarajulu is quoted as saying. He commented that the decision was made 'given the current climate.' However, specific details about these 'recent developments' were not provided.
Show times for Melania are not listed on the websites of South Africa's main cinema chains and multiple independent cinemas confirmed they were informed not to list the film. The growing tension in US-South Africa relations stems from several issues, including trade tariffs and comments made by former President Donald Trump.
